Toilet ventilating apparatus and ventilating method



March 16, 19.37.

S. H. CHURCHILL TOILET VENTILATING APPARATUS AND VENTILATING METHOD Filed 0ct.` 25, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l e114er.

16, 1937. s, H, CHURCHILL 2,074,211

TOILET VENTILATING APPARATUS AND VENTILATING METHOD Filed oct' 25, 1954 2 'sheets-sheet z MMM Patented Mar. 16, 1937 UNITED STATES Tomar vEN'rmA'rnvG APPARA'rns vnN'rmA'rlNc METHOD Stanley H. Churchill, Edmonton, Alberta,

. Canada Application october 2 5, 1934, Serial No. ll50,003

7 Claims.

'I'he main `or primary object of my invention is prompt and complete removal of tainted air and odors (which are inevitable from the use of the generally used toilet fixtures) and to remove these odors and tainted air from the toilet bowl itself as they are formed and to prevent their escape from the bowl into the atmosphere of the toilet room and to do so by apparatus or appliances which commence to function at the time of starting use of the fixture and continue their action for the period the toilet is in use, and to provide apparatus which functions continuously, and which two .types of apparatus may be used in combination, or individually, according as the needs of various installations demand. Since my apparatus or system utilizes an electric motordriven fan or air moving device and the employment of an automatic switch to control or regulate the same, an important feature of my invention is to safeguard persons from electric shock from the switch either while using or cleansing the fixture, and to protect the switch itself from damage or derangement. Other objects and advantages of my invention will be understood from the description or explanation thereof hereinafter given, setting forth what I now regard as most satisfactory embodiments of my invention.

My invention consists in whatever is described by or is included within the terms or ,scope of the appended claims.

3o In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in vertical section of a building structure such as a hotel, apartment house, or oice building, exemplifying an embodiment of my invention in such la case;

Fig. 2 is a similar view with parts in elevation of an embodiment of my invention in the form of an individual installation;

Fig. 3 is a perspective `view of another individual installation embodiment of my invention where 40 much of the apparatus is exposed or which is an open installation;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the motor switch;

, Fig. -5 is a detail view in perspective ofthe junction box'applied to the seat; y

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective v iew ofv a portion, in section of the switch shell, the contact bridge bar carrying plungenand said bridge bar, shown separated;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a closet bowl in the case of an installation of the switch in the rim thereof;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section on the line 8-8 of An important feature of my invention is an installation which has a constant flow of air. through channels or conduits in the building or ship, whose toilet accessories call for ventilation or removal of obnoxious smells, which flow may be induced and maintained by what may be termed a master'fan situated say on the roof of the building, or the deck, hold, etc. of a ship, fand whose induction port is in constant communication with air ducts, pipes or passages preferably provided in the floors and walls or partitions of the structure. And another important feature of my invention in such an embodiment thereof is theprovision for each' toilet of an air flow inducing device preferably a small electrically driven fan or blower, which takes air from-within the iixture and passes it to the stream or current induced or created by the master fan, so that im.-

mediately following the action of the individual fan or blower for a unit, air flow from the fixture A and its flow to the discharge outlet of the system begins. With a dead air condition in the air flues or conduits, there would necessarily be a lag or retardation of flow from a fixture due to the 'necessity to set in motion the entire column or body of air leading to the final outlet.

What is shown in Fig. 1 is a rather conventional illustration of a building of several stories with toilet rooms I0, on each iioor, the fixtures including Va closet il, of conventional form with a hinged seat I2 and a flush tank I3, and a urinal U. (As I have indicated, my invention is applica'- ble to ships, and what is shown in Fig. 1 may be regarded as typical, regardless of the structure.)

Extending horizontally through each floor is an air duct or channel I4, all of which, say at one side of the building, communicate with a vertical duct or flue I5 that reaches t'o a point above the roof I6, upon which is placed a fan or air blower I1, such as I have heretofore referred to as a master fan and which at all times is inaction, so that constantlyor continuously, there is a flow of air through the horizontal ducts or ues and the vertical flues or pipes in the walls of the toilet room to the uptake I5 and through the fan or blower whose exhaust or discharge is thus above the roof of the building. The ducts or channels I4, may be provided with regulating valves, or dampers Ila.

From each flxture'I I, an air eduction pipe I8 leads into and upward through the wall or partition I9, and an electric motor driven blower or fan 2li, has its induction port connection with the upper end of said pipe and its eduction port communicates with the duct or ue 2l, which passes upward therefrom to the adjacent horlzontal ilue I4; The electric motor of the fan or blower 20 is in a circuit that includes an automatically operated switch situated to be closed 5 under the weight of one sitting upon the seat and to automatically open when the weight is removed so that the motor runs only during the time the circuit is closed by means of the switch.

The construction and installation of the switchf l which I prefer to use and which I have invented to meet the special requirements of a switch in such a relation are shown in Figs. 4 to 6 and described in detail hereinafter.

No blower or fan 20 is provided for the urinal U, as it is'connected by an air duct leading from I4 to a point on its drain just above the water igt/'e1 in the trap, auowing master fan l1 to draw a continuous current of clean air down through *drain and thus prevents odor from contaminating toilet room. A similar arrangement is used in the case of urinals attached to the wall (not illustrated).-

Besides the multiple installation illustrated in Fig. 1, my invention as to certain of its features may be employed in unit installations such as those shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings. By unit installation, I mean one where each Itoilet ilxture is not 'a part of a general system, as in the case of Fig. 1, and may be considered as consisting of the elements included between the closet II and the horizontal ue I4 inmediately above it, so that the eillux or discharge willnot be to such a duct or flue I4, but directly to the air or thel outside of the building, as shown in Fig. 2.

Describing what is shown in Fig. 2, there is a closet II of conventional construction with a flush tank I3, and I make use oi the rush connection between the tank and the bowl for connecting the 4o air eduction pipe I 8. This is accomplished by making such ush connection a T 22, the middle arm of which is secured to the bottom of the tank I 3, and the horizontal branch being connected at one end of the bowl II, and at the op- 45 posite end by a union coupling 23 to the lower end of the eduction pipe I8. It will be seen that by using the T-iltting, I provide a very simple construction and one where the air connection with the bowl runs directly straight back and 50 thusv overcomes diil'iculties of application or installation whichmightbe created bythe position of the bowl and' water tank. Such a construction is of particular utility in the adaptation of my invention to old installations already 5 in use, and with the minimum of expense. Thus lall the old ilxtures are retained intact, or without any alteration merely by the substitution of the T-tting for an elbow, for example, which the original installation might have between the 60 tank and the bowl.

By running the air eduction pipe I8 into the adjacent wall and then extending -it upward therein, the fan or suction device 2li, may be placed out'of sight and for its protection in a o5 space 24 in the wall just above. the top of the Il and thus a cabinet with a hinged sliding or removable front wall 2l provided. Such iront wall enables ready access to the suction device when occasion therefor arises. The eduction 70 port o! the suction device is connected with the i lower end of a vertical pipe 28, passing through the wall and opening above the roof, as shown in'Fig. 2. or it could be passed outward through a' vertical wall, should the latter be one of the 7.5 outside walls oi the building. There is a connection 21 of rubber or other exible or yieldable material between the induction and eduction ports ot the suction device and the pipes connected therewith to take care of vibration from the running of the motor and to allow of ready disconnection of induction and eduction pipes, and the motor and fan may bev placed upon a cushioning pad of rubber or felt.

A concealed installation such as that shown in Fig. 2 may also be employed with the type of closets which have a rear vent at or above the level of the bowl top and which, therefore, may be readily connected with the air eduction pipe. Such a closet with a raised vent is shown on the third door installation, Fig. 1.

It is to be understood that in the case of new construction or where new ilxtures are being installed, they should be preferably of this type, as it has advantages which lend themselves to my Ventilating system inasmuch as the rear vent provides a larger, unobstructed passage for the eduction of air from the xture; the ilow of air is not out oil while toilet is being ushed as in the case of the use of the special ilush housing 22, which is illled with water until tank I3 is emptied; the larger opening allowing a lwer fanspeed eliminating hum or fan noise; and the air educed from the rear vent is drier than that drawn through the flush housing connection, eliminating diillculties caused in cold climates in winter due to condensation of this excess moisture in pipes or the formation of ice at the outlet obstructing the air flow.

In Fig. 3, I illustrate an embodiment of my invention which is an open type installation, in that pipes and motor-driven-suction device are external to the wall of the room. Thus the air eduction pipe 28 leads from the ilush connection between the bowl and the water tank below the latter and then upward alongside the latter and is connected by a flexible coupling with the motor driven suction device 28 placed upon a bracket 38, secured to the wall and the eduction port of the suction device is connected by a iiexible yielding coupling to the lower end of the air eduction or exhaust pipe 8|, that is supported by brackets from the wall and passes upward through the room ceiling to a suitable outlet point on the exterior of the building. The suction device preferably rests upon a pad of felt or other suitable material to absorb vibration.

The electric switch is shown in Figs. 4 to 6. It includes a shell 32 of bakelite or other material with insulating properties which has an opening at4 vone end from which outwardly projects a flange 33, to lie against the adjacent surface of the seat or other member upon which the switch may be mounted. Said shell is secured firmly in position by retaining screws 32a which pass through holes 32h11: the shoulder ange 33, these retaining screws being concealed when the diaphragm and cover plate 4I are assembled in position. At the closed end of the shelfembedded in the wall and end and exposed within the same ,are two stationary contact points or electrodes 34, which respectively by lead wires 35, are connected in circuit with the electric motor of the suction device, the wire connections being on ends of the contacts on the exterior of the side wall of the shell. Loosely mounted within the shell to be readily slidable therein is a plunger 88 which in a recess at one end has secured to it the bridge contact bar 31, adapted by movement of the plunger towards the contact points 34. to touch the latter and thus'clozethe circuit to the motor. This contact bridge bar'prei'erably consists of a iiat metal spring with raised ends carrying tungsten or other contact faces 310;,

reaching beyond the lower face of plunger 35 to which it issecured by a retaining screw as shown. Thus the contact ends touchthe contact electrodes 34 and bridge them, at which time current flows through 31. The contact is made by alight springy pressure due to the ends of v31 being raised far enough to touch the electrodes 34 before plunger 36 has been stopped on its downward travel. Normally the contact is broken by the lifting of the plunger tocarry the bridge bar away from the contact points" 34, when it becomes and emains dead electrically, by a coil spring 38, 39, in the plunger. Such spring bears at one end against the closed wall of the shell which carries a central spring retaining stud 38a, and at the other end against a surface closing the end of the recess 39. The plunger 36 at its upper or outer end is attached to the central portion of a flexible preferably rubber diaphragm 49, which is of greater diameter than the plunger, so that it projects beyond the latter and has its projecting rim or edge secured firmly to the shell 32 between binding or clamping surfaces so that between the latter and the plunger, there is a free portion of the diaphragm which permits the latter to buckle when pressure is applied either bythe expanding' spring 38 on one side or by opposing pressure on the other as from the weight of a person on the seat. Above the diaphragm and fitting the opening in the shell 32at that point is a cover plate 4I, preferably of metal which lies against the rim or marginal portion oof the diaphragm 49, and by means of screws 42,'passing therethrough into the shell, clamp or bind such marginal edge against an annular shoulder on the shell. Internally threaded anchor blocks 43, embedded in the shell are. provided for engagement by the clamping screws 42. f

The central portion of the diaphragm 48 is clamped between the adjacent end of the plunger f 35 and the outwardly flanged end of a collar 44 by means of screws 4,5, whichpass through the diaphragm and into internally threaded anchor blocks 46 embedded in the plunger 38, which is preferably of 'bakelite or other insulating material. The collar 44, passes outwardly from the shell through a central hole in the cover plate 4|' and upon its outer end has secured to it a bumper block 41, preferably o f rubber, which contacts with the toilet fixture member which supplies the pressure to the bumper to move the 'plunger to close the circuit through the bridge bar contact 31. Embedded in the bumper block is a thin, fiat disc 48 of metal which serves to securely fix to the bumper block a screw 49, that projects from the end thereof next the collar 44, and which engages aninternally threaded central yhole in the collar 44, to attach the bumper block to the collar. On theside or base of the bumper block opposite the cover plate 4I, is secured abumper plate U, which,has a central hole that receives the reduced end of the collar 4|, so that the plate rests upon a shoulder on thel collar and thus is the means for transmitting the bumper pressure to-the collar and thence to the circuit-closing 70' plunger 36. Another important function of the ntrally placed within a chamber 0:' recess 'than thedepth or space between the bottom or inner end of the plunger and the closed end of the shell and allowing the points of the bridge contact bar to make a springy contact with the stationary switch points or electrodes 34, so that such parts are never subjected to any heavy and possibly damaging pressure regardless of the force which moves the bumper in circuit-closing movement. The screw 49, of course, secures or holds the bumper plate to the end of the plunger collar 44.

The bumper block has on its outerslde a screwdriven slot that reaches to the slotted head of screw 49. 'I'he coil spring 38 has strength or power enough when acting on the seat or movable member of -the toilet fixture to lift such member and thus assure movement and holding of the bridge contact bar 31 out of contact with the switch points 34 and thus assure the non-running of the electric motor when the toilet is not in use.

The rubber or elastic diaphragm 40 is to exclude air, moisture and water even if submerged in water, from the interior of such switch mechanism and yet allow free movement of the circuitclosing plunger. To prevent damage to the buckling portion of the diaphragm by any rubbing or cutting action of adjacent parts, a recess joints air, dust and water-tight.

Preferably to prevent any turning movement of the plunger 36',4 within the shell, the plunger may be provided with a vertical groove 52, extending in an axial direc on which slidably engages a rib 53, on the adjac nt wall of the shell.

. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the switch ismounted in the underside of the seat and preferablyv at the left side thereof because that is the side of the seat upon which the weight of the body is thrown in the customary use tof the closet,

and this assures against accidental opening of the switch by reason of insucient weight on the seat'above the switch as sometimes occurs when switch is on right side, even though the toilet fixture' continues in use.

From the switch, two lead wires 35 run through a channel or vconduit 54, running internally through the seat from the switch to the hinged end of the seat whereat is a junction box 55.` The junction box is placed in a recess in the rear lower side of the seat. and includes a block 56 of. insulating material such as bakellte, rubber or fiber which is secured in the recess by screws 51. The lead wires 35 are secured to the insulator block 55- by a binding screw or post 58 for each, and to thesame binding posts are secured the `two current or lead wires 59,I which run to the motor.

Besidesthe two'lead wires 4which connect the switch and the motor, I run .a wire 69 from the anchor block 43 adjacent to switch end of con-l duit 54, which is enlarged vat ,this point for this purpose, soldering wire 60 to thezend of the anvented which might resuit in injury thereto. The

chor block where it appears ush with flange 33. This brings every exposed metal part of switch into contact with wire 60, which runs to a binding post 6I, of the junction box from which a wire 62 is carried to a ground and thereby the exposedmetal parts of the switch are grounded and thus all possible danger of shock from the high voltage house current which the switch carries is eliminated. Thus even if a person should 10, touch the possibly electrified external metal parts of the switch and at the same time lean against a metal radiator or water pipes, this grounding of the switch would be a perfect safeguard even though such a person might increase the risk by water used in washing the fixture. Further protection from shock is secured by the complete or perfect insulation of the electrodes or contact or switch points, from all other metal parts of the switch and by so mounting bridge contact bar carrying plunger that it has no electrical contacts except when the switch is actually in use. A further safeguard is provided when the switch is located 'below or on the underside of the seat and is thus hidden and inaccessible to touch, especially when in use. The recess containing the junction box has a cover 63 of insulating material, so that it is protected both physically and electrically, as against short-circuiting, or shocking a user.

tion box and such ends are secured to the binding posts. The switch terminal ends of the three wires are soldered to the stationary contact points and the cover plate screw anchor 43 before the switch shell is secured in the proper recess in the underside of the seat. -The diaphragm cover plate, bumper plate and bumper are con-v veniently put in place after the switch shell with the parts therein is placed in the seat recess.

4?!! As shown in Fig. 8, the switch may be installed in the rim of the closet bowl which` being of porcelain makes unnecessary the use of an insulating shell of bakelite or the like. In the case of the bowl installation, the stationary switch .5 contacts, tne lead wires and the ground wire are molded in the porcelain when the bowl is made as are the cover plate screw anchors. v Preferably a junction box would be placed at the rear of the bowl corresponding with the junction box hereinbefore described. Of course, should it be desired, acomplete switch construction including l a shell of'bakelite or other insulating material could be applied to the closet bowl.

While I have described with particularitybertain features of construction of the very satisfactory embodiments of my invention illustrated in the drawings, it is to be understood that the scope of my protection is not to be conned or restricted to any such special features of construction beyond the express requirements of the following claims and those claims or limited by their recitalsl to particularl featuresl My junction b'ox is a most advantageous arwhich are not speciiicv of construction are to be construed as extending to other embodiments'of my invention.

Of course, in the case of a large building or shipstru'cture, it may be desirable to divide the structure as far as the installation is concerned into sections or compartments, each having its own master fan, or means for causing a constant air flow through each section or subdivision.

What I claim is:

1. A Ventilating system for structures having a plurality of rooms equipped with toilet fixtures, comprising individual air passages leading from respective fixtures, a' common air passage to which said individual passages run and having an outlet to the structure exterior, and-constantly acting air-current inducing means that cause air iiow through such passagesl to and out of such outlet, supplemental means inthe individual passages to cause air flow through them from their toilet xtures, and means to place such supplemental means in action only when the fixture is n in use.

2. A system as in claim l further characterized by such means to place the supplemental means in action being automatically started and stopped.

3. A system as in claim 1, in which the individual passages extend vertically, and there are common passages at a plurality of levels and extending horizontally, and a vertical passage lead ing to the air outlet with which such horizontal passages communicate.

'4. A method of Ventilating structures having a plurality of toilet fixtures and which is provided with air passages from each fixture to a common passage having an outlet, which includes the act of maintaining a continuous air flow in suchI passages in the direction of the outlet,`and which also includes the act of causing a supplemental air flow in the passages from each fixture only while the fixtures respectively are in use.

5. A system as in claim 1 being further characterized by such means to place the supplemental means in action being automatically started 'and stopped, and which latter includes an electric switch at the fixture with an exposed current conducting part, and a ground connection from such part.

6. Toilet fixture Ventilating. apparatus corri-l a movable seat for said fixture, an electric switch l mountedon the rim of the fixture to be engaged and operated by theA seat when weight is applied to the latter, said switch including an exposed metal member, and means for grounding the latter.

7. A toilet fixture ventilator comprising an electrically driven air device with inlet and outlet connections, a circuit, van electric switch mounted on the hinged seatof the fixture ,at a point between its distal edge and its hinged portion and in said circuit, a junction box applied to said seat at its hinged portion, and wires leading from the switch to the box and from the box to the part ofthe circuit that includes said airmoving device.

STANLEY H. CHURCHILL. 

